Peter Dutton denies backflip after announcing plans to scrap Labor’s electric car tax break

The opposition leader was this morning probed over the $3 billion EV tax break policy after the Liberal Party last night announced it would scrap the popular scheme.

On Monday, Dutton denied he had any plans to remove Labor’s fringe benefits tax exemption for people who buy an EV priced at less than $91,000 through a novated lease.

“No, we’ve said that what we’re opposed to is the government’s big tax on hybrids,” he told reporters at the time.

However, in a press release attributed to Dutton, Shadow Treasurer Angus Taylor and Coalition finance spokesperson Jane Hume yesterday, the Liberal Party said it would get rid of the EV tax concession if it wins government on May 3.

Dutton confirmed plans to repeal the tax break when asked about it by reporters today in Hobart and rejected a suggestion he had changed his mind.

“That was the answer I gave and you referred to that we will not support the big tax on cars, I have been clear about that and clear in relation to policies on EV, our policy has not changed,” Dutton said.

“There has been no policy change, no discussion about that policy this week.”

The opposition leader again insisted there was no change in the Coalition’s policy when pushed on the matter.

“I think we’re better off just to accept we have a difference of opinion but there has been no change in policy,” Dutton said.

The Coalition yesterday said it will “unwind Labor’s taxpayer-funded and badly designed electric car subsidies”.

It said the move will save “upwards of $3 billion over the forward estimates and $23 billion over the medium term”.